Camping Stretchers..

Most camping shops have good quality stretchers, price being a pretty good guide to quality.
As to whether you need a mattress will depend on your age and tolerance to pain.
when i was young and even sillier I just dug a hip hole with an old ex army shovel and slept
where I fell but nowadays I need every comfort I can get.
I recommend the self inflating mattresses.

G'day Stephen

I ended up with 2 Oztent stretchers as part of a package when I purchased my Oztent - they are rated at 150 kg's which I thought was a plus as many are rated at 120 kg's or less - one would think that they are a wee bit stronger ??

Have slept on them a few times without any mattress and didn't really have a bad sleep but with a thin self inflating mattress on they are far more comfortable.

I have different self inflating mattresses - thinner ones (40mm) for when out camping and thicker ones ( 75mm) for when I have more visitors than beds at home. All my visitors comment on how comfy the set up was !!

I also made sure the mattresses were the same size as the stretchers.


Hope this helps in some way

Cheers

Gazz

Hi

I have a Moondyne (Traverse Giant), Oztrail (Jumbo) plus an Oztrail (Compact) (and a couple of smaller (low) ones).

I could happily sleep on all without a mattress, but as indicated by previous poster - up to you in the end as personal preference thing. I assume there are some with padding but easy enough to get a self inflating mattress of some size that suits you if you find what ever you end up getting a bit hard.

Would also keep an eye on weight - the bigger ones can get pretty heavy. Also, when new installing the final end strut can be a challenge as you have to stretch the fabric a bit to slot the rail into place (depending on design). I needed a lever for the first few times with the Moondyne until things settled (stretched). Good exercise nonetheless :)

Cheers
Greg

Hi Stephen,
I bought a helinox stretcher..cot one...have a look on the website as they make a range of very lightweight, compact stretchers which are pretty comfortable.
Because I hate sleeping bags, I also bought a duvalay bedding pack which makes it as comfortable as my bed at home, but also used it with a self inflating mat. I think you could sleep on it as is but I haven't tried it.
They also make great chairs..I have a couple of the ones with high backs and they are really supportive and comfortable and very lightweight and compact for travel.
regards,
Heather

My canvas topped stretchers are too old for me to come up with a brand. They were the largest size sold by Anaconda at the time and the canvas is a bit more modern than the traditional heavy weight material. Bottom line is that I prefer a firm surface and the canvas in these is sufficient to yield to the the pointy bits and no pressure points occur. A simple Yoga Mat in the winter adds a bit of give. The body weight of the individual comes into the comfort assessment when asking others for recommendations.

Have you tried a hammock as an alternative? Never need a mattress in a hammock. Hammocks are lighter, smaller to store, and many have insect protection built in. Friend with a bad back has also given his stretchers away now he has a hammock. Apologies for getting off topic.

Iza

I have several types of stretchers and all are better, as other posters have said, with a mattress.

Which also is a good insulator, as it can get draughty underneath.

Now my favourite is the steel Wild Country Goulburn - 2100 mm long (7'). Sets up and down in an instant Vs the models with end tensioning bars - which some people really struggle to secure. Steel is more robust than aluminium in the stretcher construction dept. Carry a few spare bolts & nyloc nuts as at some point the rivets on the legs will let go.

I also abor sleeping bags, so just unroll my swag with sheets, doona, lightweight blanket, on top. Can't be beat for temperature flexibility, comfort, plus ease of rising in the dead of night for you-know-what.

Darche XL Best stretcher I have had. even better with a swag.

Gooday,
Have a Black Wolf we bought in Karatha years ago, has about a 2inch foam mattress,the best part about it is that t is at least 6FT 8inches long, I am tall as is My Brother whom we bought it for to use, as he joined us in Headland and travelled with us for 2 months. I have used it many times since and hope it sees me out.
Cheers,
Boroma604

Hi Stephen I'm 115kg NO PROBLEM if want to put a extra padding go for it but I can sleep no problem with out one cheers.

no not really they set up in about 5 minutes ready to sleep. You can only buy them online when I brought mine last july took it to Tassie last august it rained or snowed at night but had a good night sleep I use it with a swag.

Stephen,

I bought a Wanderer "Deluxe" last year @ BCF, to cross the Rig Road. Used my swag on it, and sleep pretty well for the 4-5 nights I used it. Didn't use a mattress, though my swag does have a foam mattress in it that used to be 1" thick about 30 years ago.

Seems to be a bit heavy to me, but as someone else mentioned, might need some repair work done on it, with plenty of use. Has the end tensioner bars..........they're okay to fit BEFORE happy hour.

I bought this one because it was wider than the cheaper ones, about 900mm I think, and cost about $90, on special. Some of the other's stretchers sound good, might have to check them out when I need one for the Boss.



Bob